Chaeles speeder



C. SNEIDER. Lead and Crayon Holder.

Patented Oct. 26,

N FETERa PNOm-ummRnPnsR. w'ksmNGToN. D C.

UNITED STATES CHARLES SNEIDER, OF NEW YORK N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T O DANIEL SLOTE, OF SAME PLACE.

LEAD AND CRAYON HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 233,814, dated October 26, 1880.

Application filed Au To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, CHARLES SNEIDER, of New York, in the county of New York, and in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lead and Crayon Holders; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in that class of pencils or lead and crayon holders which consist of a suitable handle in the form of a hollow casing carrying an adjustable lead, which may be projected from the casing at one end a proper distance when required for use, and can be readily moved forward to compensate for wear, can be conveniently renewed when completely worn or exhausted, and can be entirely inclosed in the casing when not in use.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap, simple, and effective means whereby the lead may be held in any desired position in the pencil, and which will permit the lead to be readily inserted for renewal and inclosed entirely within the pencil when not required for use, as more fully hereinafter specified. This object I attain by the devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a longitudinal sectional view of a pencil constructed according to my invention; Fig. 2, a View, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a modification of my invention; and Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of the device for holding the lead detached.

The letter A indicates a hollow casing or handle, constructed of metal or other suitable material, which is contracted at one end, forming a nozzle, B.

The letter 0 indicates an annular follower or driver adapted to slide in the upper or tubular portion of the handle or casing. The said follower is provided with two or more spring-jaws, D, which are contracted toward each other at their ends and distended at their central portions, the lower ends being gust 14, 1880. (Model) when properly closed upon it. The lower portion of the handle or casing is provided with a shoulder, b, for the purpose hereinafter explained. The follower or driver is provided with a pin or projection, 0, extending through a longitudinal slot, a, in the tubular portion of the handle or casing, which is connected with a movable collar, E, adapted to slide on the outside of the said handle or easing, by means of which the follower or driver may be operated.

The letter F indicates a spiral spring located in the tubular portion of the handle or casing behind the driver or follower, one end of said spring bearing against the lower end or screw-plug, G, of the said handle or casing, and the other against the rear of the follower or driver, so as to keep the same normally pressed forward toward the front end or nozzle of the casing A.

The casing or handle may be constructed with the nozzle complete, as represented in the drawings; or the nozzle-may be constructed separate and secured to the handle or casing, if desired.

The annular collar on the outside of the handle or casing may be milled, roughened, or engraved, so as to afford a convenient grasp for the thumb and finger, or it may be provided with a finger-button, by which it may be operated, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The operation of my invention is as follows: To insert the lead, the follower is forced back by means of the collar on the outside of the handle or casing. This releases the jaws from the contracted part at the shoulders of the nozzle, allowing said jaws to expand. The lead is then passed up into the nozzle at the open end thereof, into the handle or casing, passing between the jaws, through the annular driver or follower, and up into the spring. When the collar is released the spring presses the follower and its jaws forward, and the expanded portion of the jaws coming in contact with the shoulder of the nozzle, the said jaws are pressed together and caused to clasp the lead. When the lead becomes worn it is only necessary to readjust it, to again draw back suitably shaped to grasp and hold the lead the follower, and again let it automatically fall toward the forward end of the pencil. When it is desired to wholly insert the lead in the casing it is simply necessary to push the lead in the proper distance. When the pencil is to be again used the jaws are drawn back, so as to release their grasp upon the lead, so as to permit it to drop out a sufficient distance, and upon permitting the jaws to be pressed forward by the spring the jaws, by means of the shoulders (1, will be caused to grasp the lead and hold it in place.

I am aware that clamping-jaws adapted to receive the lead and having inclined surfaces which engage with inclines in the mouth-piece or case have been before employed in this art, and such construction, broadly, is not sought to be covered in this application.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In combination with the hollow casing or handle A, having a slot, at, and a nozzle, B, provided with an inclined internal shoulder, 12, the follower 0, provided with a pin or projection, 0, extending through the slot, by which said follower may be drawn back, and with spring-jaws D, distended at their central portions, to act in conjunction with the shoulder b to grasp the lead, and the spring F, whereby the follower is pressed forward automatically to project the distended parts of the jaws against the shoulder, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 4th day of 

